Judged by Mr Simon Pitts 

I would like to thank the committee for the honour of being invited to judge the championship show in this 45^th anniversary year. Always an enjoyable day with the Otterhounds, and a lovely atmosphere, even if the weather wasn’t as kind as it could be. 

A good entry of hounds by today’s standards; I was pleased with my top winners, and lovely to see some promising babies for the future. 

 

Puppy dog (1)

1^st Porter’s Ottaryx Vandal, 6 month promising baby with a frame to make a good hound when finished. Stands on good legs and feet, Head correct for age, excellent leather set, length and fold, body deep for age. Needs to gain his confidence and tighten up all round. 

 

Junior dog(2)

1^st Lerego’s Teckelgarth Jardine, almost 12 months and well developed for age, Masculine head of good proportions giving a noble expression. Like his height to length proportions. Stands on excellent legs and feet, body mature for age, short strong loin, moderate angulation behind. On the move he covers the ground with his stern held correctly. BPIS

2^nd Porter’s Ottaryx Vintage, brother to the puppy dog, giving a lot away here in age, but another very promising baby I liked a lot. Lovely head and leathers, All the essentials are there; good bone, feet, body proportions, harsh textured coat, just needs time and confidence. 

Limit Dog (1)

Nelson’s Olphae Druid, Mature male in excellent coat and condition, masculine head, low set leathers of very good length, well boned legs, has well sprung, deep ribs, short strong loin, and moderate angulation, moved ok. 

 

Open Dog (4)

1^st Lewis’s Ch Olphae Charman, loved this B&T boy, oozes bred type, presents a very balance, correct outline, Masculine head and expression, low set leathers of very good length, well laid shoulders and return of upperarm, liked his width to front with good forehest which was lacking in many, deep well sprung ribs, strong, straight topline, short in loin, moderate, well muscled hindquarters. Stern set on high and carried perfectly. On the move has an effortless gait with reach and drive from behind. Immaculately presented and handled. Delighted to award him the CC &RBIS

 

2^nd Salt, Stinger & Lerego’s Ch Teckelgarth Dreadnought, Mature dog built on different lines being taller and rangier. Masculine head of good proportions, well boned legs and round feet, shoulders well laid, well off for anugulation at the rear, and stern well set. Moves with drive and precision, just preferred the overall picture of 1. ResCC

 

Puppy Bitch (1)

1^st Lewis’s Olphae Ember, 10 months, has the right make and shape to go far when she gains her confidence, lovely feminine head, good bone and feet, super body for age. Movement difficult to assess. I really liked her.

 

Limit Bitch (3)

1^st Harris’s Olphae Dawn, very balanced all through, feminine head, straight front, well laid shoulders, correctly angulated behind, coat in good order and correct texture. moved the soundest both ways which gave her the class. 

2^nd Porter’s Ottaryx Quinevere, what a beautiful bitch, stunning head, oozes type, and presents a very good outline. Correctly angulated both ends, on the move she couldn’t match 1 for precision. 

 

3^rd Shaw’s Ottaryx Rascal

 

Open (4)

1^st Lerego, Smith & Follett’s Ch Teckelgarth Ebony, stunning bitch, caught my eye on the first look around. Everything fits together seamlessly. Beautiful feminine head, low set leathers of good length and fold, strong neck into textbook front and shoulders, body is mature, deep and well sprung, topline firm well angulated behind which shows in her movement which is long, economical, and so sound with her stern carried correctly. Presented in full coat. Loved her. CC and BIS.

 

2^nd Finch’s Conestoga and Crossroads English Dream at Otterslade (imp USA), This bitch has so much to offer, is on the taller side, but is so very sound, straight front with good forechest, angles balanced both ends, coat of good texture, movement unsurprisingly is spot on,  liked her a lot, and I think should gain her title, she was very close to higher honours today. Very sympathetically handled. 

 

3^rd Scott &Lerego’s Teckelgarth Zsa Zsa

 

Veteran Bitch (2)

1^st Ashworth, Ganna, Steffen’s Ch Dekenchar’s Willfull Via Kingstree (Imp USA) 8.5 year old, excels in type and balance. Balanced head with good length of leathers, strong neck into well laid shoulders, excellent rib and loin, scores in backend with correct moderate angulation, super width across the thigh. She moves with precision and drive, carrying her topline well. A little less weight would be to her advantage. ResCC and BVIS

2^nd Follett’s Am Ch Four Pillars Tahoe Turquoise (Imp USA), another  year old, built on racier lines than 1, Another good for breed type; built on a finer frame than 1, feminine head, good length of neck into well laid shoulders, straight front, mature body, presented in excellent coat and condition, just not as positive behind as 1.